Geographical game-card



(MqdgL) 'W. G. READ. Geographical Game Cards.

No. 229,914. Patented July 13, 1880;

Arm-r1111 I802.

WITNESSES N-PETERS, FHOTO-LITHDGRAPHEH, WASHINGTONv D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER G. READ, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

GEOGRAPHICAL GAME-CARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 229,914, dated July 13, 1880.

Application filed March 8, 1880. (Model) of California, have invented a Geographical Game-(lard; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to an improved gamecard, which I calla geographical game-card and it consists in the employment of a number of cards equal to the number of States and Territories in the United .States. At or near the center of each card is drawn, in a distinct color, the State or Territory from which the card derives its name. The suits are designated by the line of latitude passing through or near the States or Territories in that suit, and the value or rank of each card in' a suit is determined by the population, which is marked upon one corner, while the figure designatingthe value or rank of the card is marked upon its face in a large light-line figure, as

shown, the same figure being also marked of a small size in the upper left-hand corner.

The cards are divided into groups, which are distinguished by the different lines of longitude. The number of the line of longitude which passes over or near a State or Territory is placed near the center of the upper part of the card, while in the upper left-hand corner of the card are the abbreviated names of all the States of that group or longitude. The date when the State was admitted into the Union is printed in the lower left-hand corner of the card.

Referring to the accompanying drawing for a more complete explanation of my invention, the figure is a view of a card illustrating my invention.

These cards are intended for the purposes of instruction at the same time while they are beingusedin playing games such as are played with ordinary cards.

The number of my cards is at present forty-, eight, so that there is one to designate each State and Territory in the Union.

'The State A, which designates or names the card, is marked, in a prominent color at or near the center of the card, with its name, while the border or surrounding States have their names or abbreviations placed in their appropriate positions.

The line of latitude, B, upon or nearest to which the State is situated is marked in figures, as shown, near the central left edge of the card, and all the States and Territories having this same line of latitude form one suit and are of one color.

The value or rank of each card inany one suit is determined'by its population, which is and a large outline figure, O, is marked upon the center of the card to show what that value is. The same figure may also be marked on the margin at the upper left-hand corner, if desired.

The line of longitude passing through or nearest to the State or Territory is marked by the figure or figures designating it, which are placed at the top and near the central line of the card, and all those States or Territories lying upon or nearest to this line form a group having a certain value or signification.

In the upper left-hand corner of the cards are placed the names or abbreviations representing the names of all the States or Territories belonging to this line of longitude and group, so that they may be known at a glance by those holding any one of the'cards of that group. The date of the admission of the State to the Union is marked at the lower left-hand margin.

The use of these cards will in a short time fix in the mind the relative position of each State, its latitude, longitude, and population, and other facts. Various games may be played with them similar to those played with other cards, and, in addition to the amusement afforded, the cards will serve as important educational assistants.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a series or pack of cards which are designated by the figures or names of the States 1 or Territories of the Union, the method of dividing them into suits by means of parallels of latitude, each suit being differently colored, substantially as herein described.

2. In a series or pack of cards which are desmarked at the upper left-h and corner, as shown,

ignated by the figures or names of the States and Territories of the Union and divided into suits by means of parallels of latitude, the method of fixing the value of the cards in each suit by means of a figure which represents its relative rank in population, substantially as herein described.

3. A series or pack of cards each having the name or figure of a single State or Territory imprinted upon it, said cards being (livided into suits by means of parallels of latitude and into groups by lines of longitude, and having the relative rank or valuein population indicated thereon, substantially as shown, and for the purpose herein described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

WALTER G. READ.

Witnesses:

GEo. H. STRONG, S. H. NoURsE. 

